Franc Vila FVa No Cuatro Tourbillon Chronograph SuperLigero Concept

Jul 08, 2009

In 2009, Franc Vila has created a new SuperLigero tourbillon watch – the Franc Vila FVa No Cuatro Tourbillon Chronograph SuperLigero Concept.

The new timepiece
boasts the signature Franc Vila elliptical "Esprit Unique" case that houses a skeletonized movement produced from Lightnium. This unique alloy represents a mixture of aluminum and lithium. The alloy is equally strong and elastic, and greatly improves durability of the caliber's structure of bridges. The case has a sapphire crystal front and back provided with double anti-reflective coating.

The movement of the watch incorporates bridges, the design of which has been inspired by the molecular structure of grapheme. This material has been recently discovered. It is characterized by an extremely low density, and with a thickness equal to an atom, its resistance is 10 to 100 times higher than the resistance of steel.

Moreover, it is considerably harder than diamond. As a result, Franc Vila has managed to create a remarkably light, ultra-resistant movement.

The hand-wound movement of the new Franc watch comprises 262 hand-finished components. It incorporates a one-minute flying tourbillon with differential gear and inertia control mechanism, along with a column-wheel mono-pusher chronograph, with mechanism oriented to be presented on the dial-side of the timepiece.

The precise tourbillon operation is provided by a one-of-a-kind "Inertial Moment Control" system. The movement also has a "Wheels Differential System" used for reducing by two thirds the number of the crown turns required for full mainspring tension. The movement gives an advantage of a 5-day power reserve.

The "Diehard Extreme Steel" case demonstrates a finely polished primary finish contrasting with a finely grained brushed section around the dial secured with two blued screws. Its polished and beveled edge frames the dial revealing the sophisticated structures of the movement.

The Franc Vila FVa No Cuatro Tourbillon Chronograph SuperLigero Concept watch is available in a limited edition of just eight pieces. The timepiece is coupled with a rubber or crocodile leather strap fitted with a signed folding clasp. It is 100-meter water-resistant.